Famous Italian Paintings

Italy has been home to many impressive artists in painting, sculpture, and architecture. Most of the best-known paintings date back to the Renaissance. The most famous Italian painting has become known to everyone in the world.

Mona Lisa Leonardo da Vinci

When Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci created the portrait of Mona Lisa he couldn’t have imagined how famous this painting would become. Today it is recognizable all around the world. The portrait depicts the wife of a wealthy Florentine merchant named Francesco del Giocondo, Lisa Gherarardini known as Mona Lisa. The painting is on display at the Louvre in Paris, France.

The Last Supper Leonardo da Vinci

Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci created this artwork as an oil on canvas. It depicts Jesus and his twelve Apostles sharing their very last meal. The painting has been restored numerous times over its long existence.

School of Athens Raphael

Italian artist Raphael created this fresco from 1509 – 1511. It hangs in the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican.

This artwork depicts every major Greek philosopher. The painting was created in the Stanze della Segnatura on the second floor of the North Wing of the Vatican Palace. It is one of four enormous frescoes. The other frescos depict the four pillars of human knowledge the School of Athens, Justice, Philosophy, and Poetry. The focus falls on Plato to the left and Aristotle to the right. There are fifty figures depicted with 25 representing Plato and 25 representing Aristotle.

Sistine Madonna Raphael

Italian artist Raphael created this painting depicting Mary cradling Jesus with the Saints Sixtus and Barbara standing on either side of her. Cherubs look up at Mary from below.

Transfiguration Raphael

Italian artist Raphael created this painting at the end of his life. It was his final painting, The artist worked on his creation as an altarpiece for the French cathedral of Narbonne at the request of Cardinal Giulio de Medici, later Pope Clement VII.

This masterpiece in the Renaissance style depicts how Christ’s life and teachings affected humanity.

The Birth of Venus Sandro Botticelli

Italian artist Sandro Botticelli created this artwork which is considered to be one of his finest Renaissance artworks. The painting is a tempura on canvas. It depicts the Roman goddess Venus delivered to land on a large shell after she was born fully grown at sea.

Primavera Sandro Botticelli

Italian artist Sandro Botticelli created this artwork around 1482. The title of the painting translates to “Spring” in English. It stands out with its bold use of color.

Venus of Urbino Titian

Italian artist Titian created this oil painting also known as Reclining Venus. It depicts a young woman reclining in the nude on a plush Renaissance-era sofa. It can be viewed at The Gallery of the Uffizi in Florence, Italy.

The Beheading of St John the Baptist Caravaggio

Italian artist Caravaggio created this large oil painting depicting the martyrdom of John the Baptist. It can be viewed at the Oratory of St John the Co-Cathedral in Valletta, Malta.

The painting includes highlights of reds and golds characteristic in the Baroque style. The artwork depicts the execution of John the Baptist showing a maid girl standing by with a golden platter to receive the martyr’s severed head. Another woman stands by, the jailer gives orders, and the executioner draws his knife.

The Calling of St Matthew Caravaggio

Italian artist Caravaggio completed this artwork in 1600. It depicts the biblical scene in which Jesus calls Matthew to follow him. Jesus points at Matthew who is sitting at a table with Roman tax collectors.

Judith Slaying Holofernes Artemisia Gentileschi

Italian artist Artemisia Gentileschi is an early Baroque artist. She created this artwork in 1612 – 13. It can be viewed at the Museo Capodimonte in Naples, Italy.

This painting is considered to be one of her most significant achievements. It depicts Judith cutting off Holofernes’ head. The inspiration came from the Old Testament’s apocryphal Book of Judith, in which the Israelite heroine Judith is depicted as being responsible for the death of the Assyrian General Holofernes. Once the general passed out from inebriation Judith and her maid Abra beheaded him,